Epoxidation of the pendant vinylbenzene groups of commercial poly(divinylbenzene- co-ethylvinylbenzene)

Abstract

Amberlite XAD-4, the commercial form of poly(divinylbenzene- co-ethylvinylbenzene), was modified by the oxidation of its pendant vinylbenzene groups. Of several methods studied, only the one-step oxidation with dimethyldioxirane in acetone produced pendant epoxide groups without further rearrangement. Attempted conversion to episulfide groups led to ring-opening with a mixture of functionalities. One advantage of modifying XAD-4 by epoxidation of the vinylbenzene groups to prepare functional resins is that only a one-step modification of a commercially available matrix is needed. The reaction conditions are straightforward and purification of the modified resin is simple.